ReTired

I was script supervisor/continuity on Bevan Klassen's short ReTired this past weekend. This is the film he's making with the Manitoba Emerging Filmmakers Award funding. Damn fun for the most part, though of course, hard work and long days. Great crew, brilliant setting (tire warehouse, hence the photo), good script, and most importantly, fast turn-arounds on lighting setups thanks to a DP (Director of Photography aka Cinematographer) who was confident in what he's doing and had Big Equipment and lots of help with which to work.

So what does a script supervisor do? My role is first to make sure that the shot list will cover everything originally in the script, and if it doesn't, alert the director so s/he can either add something or say they meant to leave it out. Then I keep a log of all the shots as we go - how long they were, if there were any issues with sound or picture or performance - that helps when they get to the editing room and try to remember why they took 4 takes. But the real challenge is the continuity side of things. Have to remember what people were wearing, how many buttons were undone, what hand they picked up a mug with, how much blood was dribbling down their cheek, what a desk looked like before it was cleared in a violent rage, so it/they can be put back together for the next take or a scene in another room...

It's a pretty mind-consuming job, but on a pro set, there would be a costume person and hair person who would also be watching continuity for those areas. The best thing about it is I'm at the director's elbow most of the time, so get to basically be a director observer. And it's fun to be the know-it-all - I field questions from the director, camera assistant, actors, crew - for the reasons above, plus I'm keeping score on what's been covered and what's left, and when we can all go home and get a little rest before getting up to do it all again...

It's actually hard to come back to the real world after the intensity and pace of a film weekend. But have much to do before I go on my trip so better get to it.

Casting Call

I've been sending this around, so figured this spot was another good spot to post it. Already getting in some great possibilities - can't wait for auditions/taping!

Casting Call for two projects:

1. Independent short dramatic film (10 minutes, 16 mm)
Working Title: Rave Review
Directed by: Polly Washburn
DoP: Andrew Forbes

Roles to be filled:
Scotty: 20-something lead-singer in a rock band
Glynnis: 30-something woman in a crisis
Howard: 40-something man in a hospital bed

Auditions will be held in late April, rehearsals in May, shooting (3-4 days) in June.

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2. Independent short dramatic film (5 minutes, video)
Working Title: They Came at Night
Part of the Sex, Lies and Videotape Festival
(details here: http://www.entertainers.ca/Truth_Lies_Videotape/contest.htm)
Directed by: Polly Washburn

Several roles of various ages. No audition. Single evening (week of May 1) of brief monologues, to be provided in advance.

If interested in either production, please send resume/headshot (smaller than 1MB please!) to me.

Mo money

Just found out I got some funding from the Film Group to help create lovely marketing materials for Coffee Maker. I had to put together a marketing plan, which included postcards, dvd labels and inserts, and festival entry fees!

I'm spending 3 nights at the CBC Comedy Festival - was more amused than I expected to be last night, hosted by Rowdy Roddy Piper (pictured here in younger years), and will be at Saturday and Sunday's shows as well.

Tomorrow night is the latest Winnipeg Film Group shorts premiere, with films by Alek Rzeszowski, Ryan McKenna, Jon McPhail, Zac Rothman, and Jason Lapeyre. Should be interesting...

And I'm very pleased that several people showed up Sunday to get a screenwriting group started. I'm looking forward to having a writing group again - to inspire and learn from each other -- and most importantly to get projects written and edited!